Sermon Tone Analysis

*Living Victoriously*

*Romans 8:31-39           December 2, 2001*

* *

*Scripture Reading:*

 

*Introduction:*

 

How well are you "living it up" these days?

We are entering the Christmas holiday season when the image of "sugar plums dancing in our heads" abounds.

But alas!

So many people go through the holiday season in a cloud of depression.

Things for them are not right – they are not as they should be.

And they may be right.

But should that hinder us from celebrating the birth of the One who is right?

He came that we might live victoriously.

And so as we enter the season of his birth, shall we mourn it as a dirge?

Or shall we prepare to party?

Are you living victoriously in Christ as he intended?

What do I mean by that?

I could mean certainly whether or not you are living above sin.

And that challenge is there.

But the focus of this passage in Romans 8:31-39 takes us far beyond that into the realm of an attitude of life.

It is an attitude of life that lives far above and beyond the present that not only believes God for the future, and trusts God with the future, but lives then in light of an assured future.

It is an attitude of life that is enabled to live above the present.

The child of God knows for certain the ultimate plan of God for his glory.

So what is hindering you?

What is it then that shall propel you?

 

Charles Finney, the great American revivalist of the 19th century commented about Paul's words in Romans 7 that lead up to our chapter for today:

 

"You see the state of those who are encouraged by the seventh chapter of Romans, supposing that to be a Christian's experience.

If they have gone no further than that, they are still under the law.

I have been amazed how tenaciously professors of religion will cling to a legal experience, and justify themselves in it by a reference to this chapter.

I am fully convinced that interpreting [verses 14 to 24] as a Christian experience, has done incalculable evil and has led thousands of souls there to rest and go no further, imagining that they are already as deeply versed in Christian experience as Paul was when he wrote that epistle.

And there they have stayed, and hugged their delusion till they have found themselves in the depths of hell."

/   -- "Charles Grandison Finney--19th Century Giant of American Revivalism," Christian History, Issue 20. /

/See: Ro 7:14-24; 8:35; 1 Ti 6:12; 1 Jn 5:4.

/

 

But thankfully, Paul didn't stay there, because God didn't stay there.

God through Paul brought us into the glorious freedom of the children of God in chapter 8.

This message is about the application of our new spiritual life or victory in Christ (the means-the assurance- and now the application of victory).

/How does God rescue us from our self-condemnation in being unable to follow his law in our own strength?/

*God saves us from self-condemnation by giving us a new law of life in the Spirit.*

(vv.

1-4)

                Our new law of life in the Spirit becomes effective only by faith in Christ.

Our new law of life in the Spirit sets us free from the old law of sin and  death.

Our new law of life in the Spirit validates the old law by meeting its requirements.

*God saves us from self-condemnation by giving us a new nature of life in the Spirit.*

(vv.

5-8)

                Our new nature of life in the Spirit gives us a new desire.

Our new nature of life in the Spirit gives us a new means of control.

Our new nature of life in the Spirit gives us a new ability to please God.

 

*God saves us from self-condemnation by giving us a new assurance of life in the Spirit.*

(vv.

9-11)

                Our new assurance of life in the Spirit gives us a new sense of belonging.

Our new assurance of life in the Spirit gives us a new sense of righteousness.

Our new assurance of life in the Spirit gives us a new expectation of life eternal.

*God saves us from self-condemnation by giving us a new relationship of life in the Spirit.*

(vv.

12-17)

                Our new relationship of life in the Spirit gives us a new obligation as sons of God.

Our new relationship of life in the Spirit gives us a new freedom from fear as sons of God.

Our new relationship of life in the Spirit gives us a new inheritance in Christ as sons of God.

 

/What assurance do we have that our future glory in Christ will far surpass our present suffering in Christ?/

 

*We are assured of our future glory in Christ because all creation groans for our renewal.

(vv.

18-21)*

*We are assured of our future glory in Christ because our own spirits groan for our renewal.

(vv.

22-25)*

*We are assured of our future glory in Christ because the Holy Spirit groans for our renewal.

(vv.

26-27)*

*We are assured of our future glory in Christ because of God's good purpose.

(vv.

28-30)*

 

*Big Question:*

 

/So how should we live present reality in light of future glory?/